The Globe and Mail reports in its Tuesday edition that the Canadian government is signalling the approach it intends to take should Donald Trump make good on his promise to renegotiate the North American free-trade agreement. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that Canada's ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, has laid out some starting principles such as co-operation instead of confrontation. He wants to see the countries propose common-sense ideas that improve the old agreement instead of flinging out hardball demands that could produce deep, drama-filled bargaining. There is already enough potential for trade tussles with the incoming White House administration. One irritant for the U.S. is the softwood lumber dispute. Aware of the irritants that could erupt in 2017, the Canadian government has already begun reaching out to potential U.S. allies. Ottawa, however, wants to avoid having irritants inject uncertainty into discussions about the trade treaty that governs the region where Canada sells more than three-quarters of its exports. Mr. MacNaughton offered few specific improvements he has in mind, saying he wants to avoid negotiating in public.